The Dutch artist Johannes Vermeer, is one of the most famous & popular old masters. Despite this, we know little about him or his life. Girl with a Pearl Earring (1665)
Comments
Log in with your Bluesky account to leave a comment
He was brought up in Delft in the Netherlands where his father worked in textiles - a knowledge that pervades Vermeer’s work. His father was also a dealer in pictures. Christ in the House of Martha & Mary (1654-5), Diana & her Companions (1655-6) & St Praxidis (1655)
Vermeer married in 1653 after converting to Catholicism. His mother in law was wealthy & probably insisted on this - & the couple ended up living with her. Woman Asleep at a Table (1657), The Procuress (1656) & Girl Reading a Letter at an Open Window (1657)
Vermeer lived in an inn with his mother in law, wife & 10 children & probably a servant or two. It was not the peace suggested in his work! Officer with Laughing Girl (1657), A Lady Drinking & a Gentleman (1658) & The Milkmaid (1658)
One of my favourite images by Vermeer is his Little Street (1657-8) where we get to see a Delft Street & the daily domestic scenes that might be encountered in the 17th C. The subtle colouring & technical perfection are superlative
We don’t know who Vermeer trained under but it may have been one of the Dutch Catholic artists of Utrecht. His View of Delft is a tour de force of observation & subtle compositional rearrangement (1659-60). Young Woman with a Water Jug (1660-2) & Lady at the Virginals (1662-5)
Comments
Here’s an overview of my drawings. They’re all about love, hope & joy in vibrant colours & bold lines! https://bsky.app/profile/robertbohan.bsky.social/post/3lh7ttlqku22w
I find they speak to us through their work, not their biographical details.